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Re: LONG OVER DUE COMPLETE RESTORATION PROJECT

To: morgans@Autox.Team.Net
Subject: Re: LONG OVER DUE COMPLETE RESTORATION PROJECT
From: S Manwell <smanwell@sprintmail.com>
Date: Tue, 04 Nov 1997 13:45:36 -0500
FPS3 wrote:
> 
> I go by "the Grand" theory. Each component costs at least a grand- or
> multiples of that...

> Fred Sisson

Fred and group, 

Your various grand categories sound about right. I'm in the midst of -- 
as I have been for years -- rebuilding a '54 Plus 4.  Here are some more 
thoughts:

New tires: 0.5 grand
Restore/replace wire wheels: 0 to .5 grand
Top/tonneau/side curtains:  0 to .5 grand
rear axle:  0 to 1 grand
bore and sleeve (+4) bellhousing: .3 grand
chrome plating or replacement:  1 grand
misc. missing/broken/worn out parts  1+ grand

If its a northern car there might be more:

body rust repair/panel replacement: 1 to 2 grand
chassis frame welding or replacement:  0 to 1 grand

One way to save some $$$ is to take thorough stock of everything needed 
and order it all at once from the factory.  That way it comes in one 
crate a year from now (I expect they're faster now) and the shipping 
cost is spread over all the items.  If you do a large order, its a good 
idea to get them to send you a pro-forma invoice before they assemble 
the order so you can check the list over.  Keep an eye out for items 
they are offering to supply as alternates -- ie. items that may fit, but 
are not right for your 50's Mog. (Chassis frames for 1950's to 1970's 
cars are no longer available from the factory.)

Even after a large order such as that, there is plenty of opportunity to 
support the US vendors as you buy everything you forgot in the first 
order.  And, there is plenty of value in buying the big stuff through 
the US vendors (with varying mark-ups):  if the wrong parts arrive its 
their problem, you don't have to guess about shipping costs, you don't 
have to meet the customs guy to unpack the crate, and, above all, you 
avail yourself of the vendor's extensive experience and maybe even some 
rare obsolete parts on their shelves. 

I started with a *very* tired car.  There are numerous parts (some of 
which I know about by hindsight) such as fenders/wings, bulkhead, frame 
front, complete panelled body frame, and upholstry that can be bought 
new (assuming factory price + shipping) more cheaply than they can be 
repaired or fabricated here.

--Steve Manwell

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